“He plans to see his Holy Father. The question of his successor was not on anybody’s agenda.”

O’Connor turned 80 Jan. 15 — and it is widely expected Pope John Paul II will choose a new archbishop for New York soon.

Both men are in frail health. The pope suffers from Parkinson’s disease, and O’Connor has appeared weak since he had brain surgery in August.

O’Connor has said he expects to retire soon.

The pope could also be motivated to find a successor for O’Connor, his staunch ideological ally, because cardinals can no longer vote for a new pope after they turn 80.

Despite denials that the two church leaders had any plans to discuss the New York archdiocese’s future, church watchers say the pope relies heavily on O’Connor for issues relating to the American church — and there is no question the cardinal would be involved in choosing the man to fill his red hat.

In fact, the pope is expected to pick 15 new cardinals by June.

A source familiar with the trip said when in Rome, the cardinal will attend a meeting Thursday of the influential Congregation for Bishops, which is charged with, among other things, recommending new bishops to the pope.